At a ceremony Monday in Wichita, Brownback and other supporters noted the measure arose from a year of negotiations between business and labor and passed the House and Senate without opposition.

Some changes are aimed at making sure employers aren't required to pay benefits for injured workers' pre-existing medical conditions. The legislation also makes it tougher for employees to receive benefits if they're injured while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

But the bill also raises the maximum benefits for families of workers killed on the job to $300,000 from the current $250,000. The cap on benefits for permanent injuries also will rise.